The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-05-28

TO a reporter of a San Francisco
paper Senator Stewart of Nevada
has explained at length his reasons
for favoring annexation of northern
Idaho to Washington territory,
and Of southern Idaho to Nevada.
As the proposition to annex north
ern Idaho to Washington will prob
ably come up again before the next
congress the opinion of a senator
who will labor for such a measure
with all his power will be timely.
1t will be seen, however, that the
senator's plan to annex northern
Idaho to Washington is secondary
to the annexation of southern
Idaho to Nevada. Senator. Stew
art says:
In the division Of territory OF the United
states into organized territory il was the
intention that each territory should ulti-
mately become state. The formation of
new states commenced in Mississippi valley
where there is comparatively little waste
land. The states in that great valley are
substantially equal in extent. and will ulti-
lnately approximate equality in population.
In the division of the mountain region be-
tween the plains of the Missouri and the
Pacific Ocean in territories in many in
stances, no sufficient allowance was made
for deserts and uninhabitable mountains
Consequently more territories were created
than ever become states. There are several
territories, il organized into states within
their present boundaries. which would max
substantially the same kind of states as Ne
v0Ha Nathan 1Iuhn Wvnrni,u Arts
nor New Mexico has sufficient resources to
sustain population to make a state which
would compare favorably with any of the
new states except Nevada. Whether any
1T these territories will eventually exceed
Nevada I'm population or not Is uncertain.
but any excess would be SO small as to be
immaterial. As To Utah, it has not re-
sources enough to make large state
though II possesses mere than either of the
others named; but it is in possession of an
alien enemy, operating under a political
organization in hostility To the govern
ment of the United States. 1t can be dealt
with either by organizing a state govern
ment or dividing it among surrounding
states.
The first matter in this connection
which calls for the action Of congress is
such additions to Nevada as will make
her comparatively equal to other states.
This can be done by the consent of Nevada
which has already been given. and of an
act of congress. Southern Idaho is the
only territory available for this purpose 1t
is about equal to Nevada i'm population. and
the two together would make a very respec-
table state. Northern Idaho is needed t.
make Washington good state While
Washington possesses great natural re-
sources, there is much waste land there.
but with Northern Idaho it would make a
splendid state. Montana is already sufii-
cient to made hrst-class state Wyoming
can never possess resources sufficient to b,
state. but if extended east 100 or 49,
miles, taking in part of Dakota an,
Nebraska, it would make a good state Ii
Nebraska would consent To this she coulo
be more than compensated by extending
north and including Southeastern Dakota
There would be sufficient left of Dakota Il
make very large state. Arizona and New
Mexico should at once be united. Colorado
will never be a very large state in proper
ton, and if Utah ever becomes loyal terri
tory large portion of il might well be an
nexed to Colorado, and the rest To Nevada
by such am arrangement all of the territory
Of the United States could finally be alb
sorbed into states. and all the western
states would then be respectable in point OF
population and be comparatively equal.